At various times advocates, politicians, policy analysts, and concerned citizens have recommended reforms of state small-group and non-group (individual) health insurance markets. The early- to mid-1990s was a period in which health care issues rose to the top of federal and state agendas, and we appear to be entering another such period of acute interest in expanding health insurance coverage. The latest issue of IGPA's Policy Forum looks at this issue.
The latest edition of IGPA's Policy Forum looks at the impact of minimum wage policy in Illinois. Illinois is among several states that has its own minimum wage, which is higher than the federal minimum wage. This Policy Forum, written by economist Elizabeth Powers (left), presents evidence about the effect of Illinois’ recent series of minimum-wage hikes on downstate fast-food employment.
IGPA Professor Richard F. Dye is co-editor of a new book that assesses the impact of the land value tax, which is an increased tax rate on land and a reduced tax rate on buildings and improvements. Dye and co-editor Richard W. England have found in their work for the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy that the tax can spur urban development and help contain sprawl, but its implementation has been sporadic.
IGPA economists J. Fred Giertz and Geoffrey Hewings comment on news that the unemployment rate in Illinois reached 9.1 percent, its highest in more than 23 years. Giertz (left) compiles the monthly University of Illinois Flash Index and Hewings directs the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory.
An opinion article by IGPA professor David Merriman suggests that Chicago would do well to incorporate some of Tokyo’s mass transit innovations if the city wishes to land the 2016 Olympics. The op-ed was published by the Chicago Tribune on Sunday, April 6, as members of the International Olympic Committee toured Chicago’s proposed Olympic venues.
